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Suggest Treatment For Cold Hands, Purple Discoloration Of Nail Beds And Numb Toes
Question: I have symptoms of Reynauds Phenomenom such as hands turning cold with fingers white, nail beds purple usually after drinking something cold and being in cold environment. My toes get affected as well with numbness and discoloration. I also feel like my skin color at times has a mottling effect with blotches of white and purple. Am I in danger? How serious and what are other alternatives than meds? Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Measures to prevent ulceration
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If you have proven diagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon and were complaining of numbness and discoloration, there is a chance of digital ulcers at the end of the fingers and toes soon. Once the ulceration starts it is very difficult to heal with any amount of medication. And there is no proven medication which heals by 100%. So prevention of ulcers is key for you.
You have to do the following things apart from medication
1) You should wear full sleeves and wollen to you upper body always preferably wollen on cooler days.
2) You should practice wearing gloves in the winters and hide your hands under arms.
3) You should not wear rings and tight wrist that prevent circulation to hands and fingers
4) You should try to avoid all situations that make your fingers flex like carrying objects in hand where there is curling of fingers
5) Very important is quit alcohol and smoking if you have habit of.
6) Six monthly evaluation by Rheumatologist or Vascular surgeon
Besides your medication will help to dilate the blood vessels in the fingers and toes.
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Measures to prevent ulceration
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
If you have proven diagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon and were complaining of numbness and discoloration, there is a chance of digital ulcers at the end of the fingers and toes soon. Once the ulceration starts it is very difficult to heal with any amount of medication. And there is no proven medication which heals by 100%. So prevention of ulcers is key for you.
You have to do the following things apart from medication
1) You should wear full sleeves and wollen to you upper body always preferably wollen on cooler days.
2) You should practice wearing gloves in the winters and hide your hands under arms.
3) You should not wear rings and tight wrist that prevent circulation to hands and fingers
4) You should try to avoid all situations that make your fingers flex like carrying objects in hand where there is curling of fingers
5) Very important is quit alcohol and smoking if you have habit of.
6) Six monthly evaluation by Rheumatologist or Vascular surgeon
Besides your medication will help to dilate the blood vessels in the fingers and toes.
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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